Question

Evolution Diagnostic: Natural selection acts on populations through a specific trait. Which statement about that trait must be true?

A) The trait has little impact on survival.
B) The trait is resistant to mutations.
C) The trait is found in every individual in the population.
D) The trait is influenced by external factors.

Answer 1

Natural selection acts on the population's heritable traits, selecting for beneficial alleles that allow for environmental adaptation and increasing their frequency in the population. The trait that natural selection acts upon is influenced by external factors.

Step-by-step explanation:

Natural selection acts on the population's heritable traits, selecting for beneficial alleles that allow for environmental adaptation and increasing their frequency in the population. An important aspect of natural selection is that it acts on traits that affect an individual's survival and reproductive success. It does not act on traits that have little impact on survival (option A) or traits that are resistant to mutations (option B). Additionally, natural selection can act on traits that are found in some individuals but not necessarily every individual in the population (option C). The correct statement is that the trait is influenced by external factors (option D).